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James Atkinson
May 27, 1811, Colonel James Atkinson, the subject of this sketch, was born in the county of Kanawha, Virginia. He was reared on a farm, and because of the lack of educational advantages at that time, it was under many embarassments that he secured an ordinary English education, and thereby qualified for business. In early manhood he was elected a constable, next a Justice of the Peace, next Deputy Sheriff, and finally Sheriff of the county. He was a superior business man, and always commanded a large following of friends. He was many times urged to become a candidate for the Legislature, but always refused, on the ground that his tastes ran entirely in the line of business and not politics. Although an ardent Whig, and subsequently a Republican, he was in no sense a politician. His square methods in business and his sturdy common sense gave him a wide influence among his associates. Politicians early found that he was a valuable man to have on their side in a campaign. For many years he was a merchant in the city of Charleston, and was among the best known men in the county. Years before the war, he was elected Colonel of a militia regiment, and for over a quarter of a century was addressed by the title of "Colonel." In 1842 he married Mariam Rader, of Nicholas county. Eight children were the result of this wedlock - six daughtes and two sons. Two of the daughters are dead. One of the sons (George W.) is a lawyer in Wheeling, the other (James S.) resides in Charleston, where he was born thirty-one years ago. The living daughters are all residents of Charleston.
Colonel Atkinson died September 11, 1866, from the effects of a sip of caustic soda taken through mistake for cider. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died the triumphant death of a faithful Christian. His untimely death was mourned by a large circle of admiring friends. His wife, now seventy-six years of age, still resides in Charleston.
Taken from Prominent Men of West Virginia, Geo. W Atkinson and Alvaro F Gibbens, W.L. Callin Publishing, Wheeling, WV, 1890.
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